Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1828, 1887-1896
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GIRZIE, n. Also Girrz(z)ie, Girzy (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 143; Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail iv.; Gsw. 1856 J. Strang Gsw. Clubs 23), Girsie (Lnk. 1827 J. Watt Poems 58), Girzzie (Sh. 1897 Shetland News (15 May); Chirsee (Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 65); Girzoc (Rnf. 1846 Rnf. Mag. (Dec.) 128); Girzel (Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lxxxiii.). Sc. reduced and dim. met. forms of Griselda (Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of the Lairds ix.;Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 72; Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 47. 11); occas. also used for Grace (Trotter Ib.; Per., Fif., Lth. 1915–26 Wilson). See also Grizzie. [′gɪrzi; Ork. ′tʃɪrsi]
Sc. usages: 1. A maid-servant (Ags., Fif. 1954, rare).Sc. 1828 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 124:
And a pretty pack they wad be — fishwives, female caudies . . . girrzies, auld maids wi' bairds, and young limmers wi' green parasols.Sc. 1828 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 198:
A lodging-house Girrzzie laying down a baikie fu' o' ashes at the mouth of a common stair.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 282:
He took the Beuk of course nicht and morning, gathering a' the girzies and the men into the spence.
2. Used by Stevenson as a familiar and slightly derogatory form of address to a young woman.Sc. 1887 Stevenson Merry Men (1925) ii.:
"Mary, ye girzie," he interrupted himself to cry with some asperity, "what for hae ye no' put out the twa candlestivks?"Sc. 1896 Stevenson W. of Hermiston 181:
"I'll leave that for your pairt of it, ye girzie," said he. "Ye'll lee to me fast eneuch, when ye hae gotten a jo."
